Marine Fisheries

Public Meeting Scheduled on Monkfish Large Mesh Gill Net Permit

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting to discuss the Atlantic Ocean monkfish large mesh gill net fishery at 5 p.m. March 5 at the division’s Manteo Field Office, 1021 Driftwood Dr., Manteo.

The purpose of the meeting is to explain permit requirements and other conditions for participation in the fishery to local fishermen.

The fishery is scheduled to open March 16 and will close no later than April 14. The fishery is limited to a specified area between the Virginia state line and Wimble Shoals, off Rodanthe.

The permit will allow for monitoring of the fishery, thereby reducing the threat of gill net interaction with marine mammals, Atlantic sturgeon, or sea turtles while the traditional monkfish fishery continues in North Carolina.

The season may close by proclamation prior to April 14 if sea surface temperatures exceed 52 degrees, when sea turtles become more active, or if interactions with marine mammals, Atlantic sturgeon, or sea turtles occur.

For more information, contact Holly White, division biologist, at 252-473-5734.